Academy Names Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner as Producers for 95th Oscars, Plans to Explore Streaming Options and ‘Reinvigorate’ Ceremony

variety.com:

J. Kim Murphy Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner will serve as executive producers of the 95th Oscars, which will take place in March 2023.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer announced the producing duo, both of White Cherry Entertainment, on Saturday morning.

Along with producing, Weiss will serve as director for the ceremony for an eighth consecutive year. The 2023 Oscars will mark Weiss’ second time and Kirshner’s first time producing the Academy Awards.

The two were tapped by the Academy as part of “a focus on expertise in live television event production.” “We are thrilled to have Glenn and Ricky at the helm,” Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a joint statement.  “We look forward to working closely with them, our Board of Governors and the Board’s Awards Committee to deliver an exciting and energized show.” “Bill made us ‘an offer we couldn’t refuse,'” Weiss and Kirshner said in a joint statement, adopting a line from “The Godfather” about mafia intimidation tactics before shifting to a warm tone with a “Jerry Maguire” citation. “But he really ‘had us at hello.'” During the Academy’s meeting on Saturday, Kramer also tackled feedback from members, opening his remarks by stating that there is “a need to reinvigorate the show.” To address this, the organization outlined plans to create a dedicated team within the Academy solely focused on the awards ceremony, enrich the event status of the pre-show red carpet and tackle how to best honor craft winners.